AN ORNATE black carriage pulled by four white horses led the cortege as soccer stars Garry and David Flitcroft said a final farewell to their father, John.
The nave and balconies of St Anne's Church, Chapeltown, were packed as mourners came in their scores to pay their last respects to popular businessman Mr Flitcroft.
Mr Flitcroft, aged 59, from Bromley Cross, is thought to have hanged himself in the mental health unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital two weeks ago. He was being treated for an anxiety disorder.
On top of the carriage, his coffin was carved with messages of adoration - Our Hero, Our John, Idol, Dad, Grandad and Soulmate.
As it made its way along Chapeltown Road, it was followed by two hearses full of floral tributes, including decorative football-themed wreaths. Mr Flitcroft's wife Eileen and family followed in three Rolls Royce limos.
Ex-Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers midfielder Garry led the tributes during the service, calling his father an inspiration, and saying he owed him everything.
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His brothers, David and Steve, and sister Kelly, as well as Garry's young son, Thomas, also read moving accounts of their memories of Mr Flitcroft.
The grandchildren wore England football strips, each with the name "Grandad" on the back, along with a large No 1.
David, assistant manager of Rochdale AFC, brought a light touch to proceedings, joking that his dad did not like fuss and would have thought his funeral was over the top.
"He would have wanted to come in his van," he said. "He would have been late, and if his coffin had been properly fixed on the roof rack, then he definitely would've run out of petrol."
Mr Flitcroft, who drove his children all over the country to play football, was renowned for running out of petrol, he explained, joking that the horsedrawn hearse seemed the safest option.
Garry recalled one occasion when his father ran out of petrol three times in one trip. On another day, Mr Flitcroft had to fish £5 in change from the back of the sofa so he could buy enough fuel to get his son to a match.
In a moving tribute to her father, Kelly read out a letter she sent him when he was in hospital.
She had written to him days before his death, assuring him that his family loved and needed him, and telling him she knew he would soon get better and come home.
Steve brought the congregation to tears as he imparted an impassioned wish that he could spend just 10 more minutes with his dad.
The funeral was followed by a cremation and then by a wake at the Chetham Arms.
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